Analysis Finds No Effect of Chromium Supplements on Fasting Glucose

Chromium supplements are not effective at lowering fasting blood sugar in healthy individuals or diabetics, according to a meta-analysis of 3 decades of data. The Biological Trace Element Research analysis looked at 16 randomized, placebo-controlled trials that included 809 participants (440 diabetics and 369 nondiabetics) between 36 and 67 years of age. The chromium supplements included in the analysis were chromium chloride, chromium picolinate, chromium nicotinate, chromium dinicocysteinate, and chromium yeast. Doses of chromium ranged from 200 to 1000 μg per day.